Distinguished Finalist

Whitney Welch, 17, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, a senior at North County Senior High School, created the "Whistle Awareness Safety Program" to teach elementary school students about strangers and how using a whistle can deter an abduction. Whitney, who won $3,000 in grant money to fund the purchase of 1,000 whistles, worked with the Sheriff's Department to create and present safety skits to students at schools throughout her area.